CHAPTER 16

MITCH

He HEARD HER breath hitch in her throat as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He looked at him, her eyes flickering in the darkness.

He never thought it would be something that would ever happen. Him, asking the daughter of Charles Kylin, to be his mate. It never seemed possible. But over the years, watching her grow and mature into a more beautiful woman than she was when he found her in the woods years ago, her growth had added a stable and calm intelligence in her. He found himself strangely attracted to her. This is not even adding the children, who were nestled in Mitch's heart.

He heard himself repeat the words, "Be my mate."

She took a step back to put a little distance between them. "What?" She coughed out, dumbfounded.

Mitch listened for any disapproval from his beast. There was none. The motherfucker seemed to be purring. "You heard me," he snapped, suddenly irritated at her reaction.

"I did," she said. She put her hand to her temple and massaged it. "I don't th